RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) women's basketball team took on one more opponent before ringing in the new year. The Cougars hosted the Spartans of Manchester University for a non-conference matchup. CUC battled with the Spartans but fell 55-38. The Cougars are now 1-8 (0-2 NACC).
 
Inside the Box

• Khaliah Reid (Naperville, Ill.) led the Cougars with 12 points and two steals.
• Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) registered a team-high 11 rebounds, eight of which were defensive.

 
How It Happened
First Quarter
After both teams found their footing, Destiney Cox (Chicago, Ill.) put the Cougars on the board first. The teams traded a pair of points before the Spartans pulled ahead slightly, 8-4.
 
Second Quarter
Reid put the Cougars back in the game with five points, including one from the corner after a nice pass from Mikalah Ellis (Chicago, Ill.).
 

Khaliah Reid for threeeeeee for the Cougs pic.twitter.com/94k12iasrM

— CUC Women's Basketball (@CUCWBball) December 29, 2024

 
However, Manchester continued to hold the lead despite another bucket from Cox and another three from Reid. The Cougars would end the half down eight, 22-14.
 

Anotha one for Reid!

Cougs on the come up pic.twitter.com/pomKiqpNEA

— CUC Women's Basketball (@CUCWBball) December 29, 2024

 
Third Quarter
The Spartans opened the second half with a three, Concordia answered right back from beyond the arc with a shot from Grace King (Fairland, Ind.).
 

Andddd King with the three pic.twitter.com/uiyA246OOH

— CUC Women's Basketball (@CUCWBball) December 29, 2024

 
The Spartans continued to build their lead, increasing it to as much as 16 points near the end of the quarter. Yet a made free throw by Alina Paul (Elmwood Park, Ill.) and a huge block by Abby Kulig (Carol Stream, Ill.) ended the third quarter with a score of 38-23 in favor of Manchester.
 

Kulig with a killer block to end the 3rd quarter! pic.twitter.com/gQnu5bBYhT

— CUC Women's Basketball (@CUCWBball) December 29, 2024

 
Fourth Quarter
Paul continued the momentum for the Cougars, making the layup for the first points of the final quarter.
 

Alina Paul makes a tough shot look easy and the Cougs are on a roll! pic.twitter.com/fTKdfhQGxi

— CUC Women's Basketball (@CUCWBball) December 29, 2024

 
Aniyah Hinton-Henry (Gary, Ind.) also got in on the action, completing an and-one to drop the deficit a little more.
 

AND ONEEEEE pic.twitter.com/ZsnbHZYDGb

— CUC Women's Basketball (@CUCWBball) December 29, 2024

 
Unfortunately, CUC couldn't find a run, trading points with Manchester all the way to the end of game, falling 55-38.
 
Up Next
The Cougars will kickoff the new year with Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) action. Concordia travels in the city to face Illinois Institute of Technology on January 4. Tipoff will be at 1:00 pm. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.